Intaglio printing press



Oct. 13, 1953 F. A. Ross J INTAGLIO PRINTING PRESS Filed Feb. 15, 1951 5Sheets-Sheet l KNVENTOR FRANK A. Russ @ct. 13, 1953 F. A. ROSS 2,65 02INTAGLIO PRINTING PRESS Filed Feb. 15, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 7 m} I &

INVENTOR FRA'NM A. Ross Oct. 13, 1953 F. A. ROSS 2,655,102

INTAGLIO PRINTING PRESS,

Filed Feb. 15, 1951 s Sheet-Sheet s INVENTOR FRANK A. Ross 0" 13, 1953F. A. ROSS 2,555,102

INTAGLIO PRINTING PRESS Filed Feb. 15, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORFRANK A. Ross g 5a 4% J Patented Oct. 13, 1953 INTAGLIO PRINTING PRESSFrank A. Boss, Ross Township, Allegheny County, Pa., assignor to MillerPrinting Machinery 00., Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of PennsylvaniaApplication February 15, 1951, Serial No. 211,074

16 Claims. (Cl. 101-157) This invention relates to an intaglio printingpress and especially to inking means for such a press. It has to do withmeans for applying ink to a rotatable intaglio printing cylinder and toan improved ink fountain structure.

The art of intaglio printing is old and well developed. The printingcylinder contains depressions to receive ink which is applied to thecylindrical surface of the printing cylinder and doctor means,ordinarily in the form of a blade oscillating parallel to the axis ofthe printing cylinder, bear against the cylindrical surface of theprinting cylinder to remove excess ink and insure that at the printingpoint the cylinder carries a proper application of ink. When intaglioprinting was done at relatively slow speeds the problems involved inapplying and doctoring the ink were not especially difficult. However,printing speeds have increased to a multiple of the printing speeds inthe days of the early development of the intaglio printing art so thatnow problems are encountered which previously did not exist. Thoseproblems have not heretofore been solved with complete success.

High speed intaglio printing demands the delivery to the printingcylinder of a quantity of ink far greater than the quantity previouslyemployed when printing was done at relatively low speeds. This. posesdifficult problems in even distribution of the ink along the printingcylinder and proper spreading of the ink between the point ofapplication and the point of doctoring. Other problems are concernedwith loss of ink from the printing cylinder through centrifugal forceand the catching and returning of that ink. Still further problems haveto do with the delivery of the ink to the point of application to theintaglio printing cylinder in the required quantity in uniformincrements along the length of the printing cylinder.

Additional difficulties arise by reason of changing of the printingcylinder to replace a cylinder of one diameter with a cylinder ofanother diameter which requires shifting of the position of the inkapplying means, the doctoring means and the means for maintaining thematerial being printed on in engagement with the cylinder.

I have devised an intaglio printing press which I believe for the firsttime successfully solves the various problems above referred to. Indevising my novel press I have utilized a number of features which Ibelieve to be basically new and have combined those features in a novelmanner to accomplish results which, so far as I am aware, have notheretof e een co dered obtainable.

My intaglio printing press comprises a rotatable intaglio printingcylinder arranged with its axis substantially horizontal together withmeans cooperating with the surface of the printing cylinder to apply inkthereto, means for maintaining in contact with the cylindrical surfaceof the printing cylinder material moving at a linear speed substantiallyequal to the linear speed of movement of the cylindrical surface of theprinting cylinder so that the printing cylinder prints on the materialand doctor means cooperating with the cylindrical surface of theprinting cylinder to remove therefrom excess ink and insure retentionthereby of a proper application of ink for printing.

I have found that the means cooperating with the surface of the printingcylinder to apply ink thereto should be disposed below the substantiallyhorizontal plane containing the axis of the printing cylinder and at theside of the printing cylinder at which the cylindrical surface thereofmoves downwardly; said means desirably forms with the cylindricalsurface of the printing cylinder a receptacle for a pool of ink. Thecylindrical surface of the printing cylinder, forming in effect a wallof said receptacle, moves downwardly in contact with the ink in thereceptacle and is thereby properly and uniformly inked.

I have also found that when the ink applying means is disposed below thesubstantially horizontal plane containing the axis of the printingcylinder and at the side of the printing cylinder at which thecylindrical surface thereof moves downwardly the means for maintainingin contact with the cylindrical surface of the printing cylinder thematerial to be printed on should be disposed substantially directlyabove the axis of the printing cylinder. This means that any point onthe cylindrical surface of the printing cylinder moves through a centralangle of between 180 and 270 between the time it is inked and the timethe ink is applied to the material being printed on. That is desirableto insure uniform spreading and application of the ink.

When the ink applying means and the means for maintaining in contactwith the printing cylinder the material being printed on are disposed asabove explained the doctor means preferably cooperates with thecylindrical surface of the printing cylinder within a central angle ofahead of the position of contact therewith of the material being printedon. Generally that angle should be materially less than 90 and for bestoperation under most circumstances I prefer that the doctor meanscooperate with the cylindrical surface of the printing cylinder within acentral angle of 45 ahead of the position of contact therewith of thematerial being printed on.

I employ means for feeding or delivering ink to the receptacle for apool of ink formed by the cylindrical surfaceof the printing cylinderand the means cooperating therewith referred to above to insure that aproper pool of ink is maintained in the receptacle at all times.

Preferably a pool of ink of predetermined volume is maintained bycontinuously overflowing ink from the receptacle. the receptacle isrecirculated.

I find it desirable to dispose the means cooperating with the surface ofthe printing .cylin-- der to form a receptacle for a pool of ink at aside of the printing cylinder above the bottom thereof and within acentral angle of 270 ahead of the position of contact with the printingcylinder of the material being printed on. The doctor means shouldcooperate with, the cyline drical surface of the printing cylinderwithin a central angle of .90 and preferably within a central angle of45 ahead of the position of contact with the cylindrical surface of theprinting cylinder of the. material being printed on.

I provide for generally horizontal movement of the means cooperating.with the surface of the printing cylinder to apply ink thereto towardand away from the printing cylinder so as to provide for replacement ofthe printing cylinder by a printing cylinder of different. diameter. Themeans cooperating with the surface of the printing cylinder to apply inkthereto may be carried by elongated supporting means entering the casingfrom without and projecting inwardly of the inner wall of the casing.The supporting means may be adjustably movable toward and away from theprinting cylinder so that printing cylinders of different selecteddiameters may be employed. The elongated supporting means may compriseconduit means serving not only to support the means cooperating with thesurface of the printing cylinder but also to deliver ink. In a preferredconstruction the ink fountain may have openings in its side throughwhich conduits may pass, the conduits being adjustably movable withinthe openings. The conduits may carry the means cooperating with thesurface of the printing cylinder to apply ink thereto and one or boththereof may deliver ink to form the pool of ink in contact with thecylindrical surface of the printing cylinder. The conduits maycommunicate with the means cooperating with the surface of the printingcylinder to apply ink thereto at or adjacent the ends thereof.

Ink collecting in the bottom of the ink fountain may be pumped into andthrough the conduit or conduits referred to. The overflowing ink isrecirculated as above mentioned.

I provide cover means covering the upwardly open receptacle for a poolof ink formed by the printing cylinder and the means cooperatingtherewith referred to above. I also provide cover means largely coveringthe cylindrical surface of the printing cylinder and having portionsdisposed opposite the ends of the cylinder. The cover means preferablycomprises a portion movably connected with the casing in which theprinting cylinder is mounted and a portion disposed axially beyond anend of the printing cylinder hingedly connected with theil st n The ink.overflowing from tioned portion to permit the second mentioned portionto be moved relatively to the first mentioned portion to clear otherparts of the press when the cover means is moved between operative andinoperative positions. The cover means preferably comprises a portionpivotally connected with the casing and a portion disposed axiallybeyond an end of the printing cylinder hingedly connected with the firstmentioned portion and when the cover means is in operative positionunderlying a part of the ink applying means projecting beyond that endof the cylinder. Such a hinge connection permits the second mentionedportion of the cover means to. be depressed relatively to the firstmentioned portion to clear that part of the ink applying means when thecover means is swung between operative and inoperative positions. Meansare preferably provided resiliently urging the second mentioned portionupwardly to predetermined operative position.

I preferably provide,- means extending between a movable portion of thecover means and the casingto maintain the movable portion of the covermeans in desired adjusted positions relatively to the casing, I mayemploy adjustable fastening arms connected with the cover meansadjacent, the respective ends thereof and means fastening the, arms indesired adjusted positions relatively to the casing.

I also provide means intercepting ink moving longitudinally of thedoctor means past the ends thereof to maintain the ink in the casingtogether with guard means preventing th intercepted ink from fallingonto the shaft or trunnions of the printing cylinder. Desirably covermeans are provided for the printing cylinder and means are carried bythe, cover means opposite the end faces of theprinting cylinder lyingbetween the intercepting means. and the journals of the printingcylinder deflecting ink from the interceptingmeans to prevent such inkfrom falling on the printing cylinder shaft means.

The cover means preferably comprises cover means for the printingcylinder extending generally upwardly and about a portion of theprinting cylinder from a position generally above the ink receptacle andadditional cover means for the ink receptacle closing against the firstmentioned cover means.

The means cooperating with the printing cylinder to apply ink theretopreferably include an elongated hollow member disposed generallyparallel to the axis of the cylinder and having passage means, from theinterior to the exterior thereof through, which ink may pass. Ink may beintroduced into the interior of the elongated hollow member and may passtherefrom through said passage means into the receptacle for a pool ofink formed between the elongated hollow membar and the printingcylinder. Means may be provided for varying the effectivecross-sectional area of the passage means.

The elongated hollow member may have opposed portions fastened togetherat one side and slightly spaced apart at the opposite side to provide aslit through which ink fed into the interior thereof may pass to theexterior thereof, the opposed portions of the elongated hollow memberbeing relatively adjustably movable to Vary the Width of the slit. Theopposed portions of the elongated hollow member may be hinged togetherat one side and means may be provided for relatively edly oving theportions to vary the width of the Slit.

The means cooperating with the printing cylinder to apply ink theretomay include in addition to an elongated hollow member such as is abovereferred to a second elongated hollov. member disposed generally withinthe first mentioned elongated hollow member into which ink is adapted tobe fed, the second elongated hollow member having passage means from theinterior to the exterior thereof through which ink fed into the interiorthereof may pass to the exterior thereof into position to pass outwardlythrough the passage means of the first mentioned elongated hollowmember. The passage means of the second elongated hollow member arepreferably disposed to direct ink passing therethrough generally awayfrom the passage means of the first mentioned elongated hollow member.Thus ink from within the inner elongated hollow member passes first intothe space within the outer elongated hollow member but outside the innerelongated hollow member and thence passes out of the outer elongatedhollow member through the slit therein into the ink holding receptaclein contact with the intaglio printing cylinder. This construction bringsabout a smooth even uniform flow of ink into the receptacle. Ink ispreferably introduced into the receptacle at a rate slightly in excessof the rate at which it is withdrawn through application to the intaglioprinting cylinder, the excess ink overflowing the receptacle. In thisway the maintenance of a continuous uniform depth or head of ink in thereceptacle is assured.

The inner elongated hollow member preferably has a series of spacedapart passages disposed generally throughout the length of the innerelongated hollow member through which ink fed into the interior thereofmay pass to the exterior thereof into the space within the outerelongated hollow member but outside the inner elongated hollow member.Since those passages are directed generally away from the slit in theouter elongated hollow member the ink has an opportunity to flow freelywhile within the annular space outside the inner elongated hollow memberand inside the outer elongated hollow member to promote a rapid yetsmooth and uniform flow of ink free from eddy currents and surges suchas would interfere with proper application of the ink to the printingcylinder.

The elongated hollow member which cooperates with the printing cylinderto form the ink receptacle is preferably turnable in its support to varythe angle of discharge of ink through the passage means of the elongatedhollow member into the ink receptacle. Generally the ink is dischargedinto the receptacle somewhat upwardly at an angle toward the printingcylinder which appears to give superior results. The angle may beadjusted as desired, normally being between 30 and 60 to the horizontal.

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent as the following description of a present preferred embodimentthereof proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown a present preferred embodimentof the invention, in which Figure 1 is a largely diagrammatic View,partly in elevation and partly in transverse cross section, of a portionof an intaglio printing press showing the intaglio printing cylinder,the ink fountain for applying ink thereto and doctoring the ink and themeans for maintaining in contact with the cylindrical surface of theprinting cylinder material to be printed on thereby;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l but show-= ing an intaglioprinting cylinder of smaller diameter than the intaglio printingcylinder shown in Figure I mounted in the ink fountain with the variouselements of the ink fountain mechanism adjusted to cooperate with theintaglio printing cylinder of relatively small diameter;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a portion of theink fountain mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the portion of the ink fountainmechanism shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view largely in inclined elevation but partlyin cross section on the line V-V of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view on the line VIVI ofFigure 3;

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view on the line VII-VII of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 but show= ing the opposedportions of the ink delivering member in a different adjusted positionthan Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a plan view with portions broken away of the structure shownin Figure 1 but to reduced scale;

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing a portion of thestructure of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary eleva tional view showing in endview a portion of the intaglio printing cylinder and the doctor bladeand associated mechanism;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary plan view to enlarged scale of a. portion ofa structure shown in Figure 9 and partly in horizontal cross section ofthe line XIIXII of Figure 13;

Figure 13 is an elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 12;and

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to Figure 1 showing aportion of the structure shown in Figure 1.

Referring now more particularly to the draw ings, I provide an intaglioprinting cylinder whose length is determined by the width of the pressbut whose diameter depends upon the particular job being printed. InFigure 1 I have shown an intaglio printing cylinder designated generallyby reference numeral 2 which is of relatively great diameter largelyfilling the ink reservoir while in Figure 2 I have shown an intagiioprinting cylinder designated generally by reference nu meral 2' which isconsiderably smaller in diameter than the cylinder 2. All figures of thedrawings which show the intaglio printing cylindcr other than Figure 2show the cylinder 2 of relatively great diameter which appears inFigure 1. The purpose of Figure 2 is to illustrate how intaglio printingcylinders of different diameters may be employed in my intaglio printingpress and how the cooperating mechanism may be adjusted in accordancewith the diameter of the particular intaglio printing cylinder beingemployed at any time. Further description of the intaglio printingcylinder 2 applies also to the intaglio printing cylinder 2' since thetwo cylinders are identical except in diameter.

The intaglio printing cylinder 2 is of cylindricell shape, having acylindrical printing surface 3 and end surfaces 4 which are planar andperpendicular to the axis of the cylinder. Coaxial with the cylinder 2and projecting from the ends thereof past the end surfaces 4 aretrunnions or shaft portions of relatively small diameter but which arelikewise of cylindrical shape. The shaft portions 5 project through theends of the ink reservoir presently to be described and outside the endsof the ink reservoir are journaled in suitable bearings as well known inthe art. Since the bearings for the shaft portions 5 do not constitutemy invention and since they are disposed laterally outside the inkreservoir shown in the drawings I have not illustrated the bearings buthave confined the structure shown in the drawings to that portion of theintaglio printing press wherein the features of my invention reside. Theintaglio printing cylinder 2 is driven through one of its shaft portions5; the drive may be conventional. I

The ink fountain is designated generally by reference numeral 6 andcomprises an ink reservoir 1 in which the intaglio printing cylinder 2is disposed. The ink reservoir 1 comprises a base 8 surmounted by anupwardly concave portion 9 forming an elongated upwardly open shellwhose length is substantially greater than the length of the intaglioprinting cylinder 2 between the end surfaces 4 thereof and which islarge enough. transversely to receive the largest intaglio print ingcylinder which is adapted to be used in the press with substantialclearance between the cylinder and the ink reservoir. At the front ofthe press the ink reservoir is somewhat extended in the horizontaldirection as indicated at it and has a generally vertical front wall Hwhose upward extremity is at 12. The rear wall is of generally arcuateshape about the axis of the cylinder, its upper extremity being at IS.

The ink reservoir has permanently applied vertical planar ends I4 whichextend upwardly from the bottom of the ink reservoir to a level somewhatabove the axis of the intaglio printing cylinder. Reference numeral I5indicates the level of the upper edges of the ends 14 of the inkreservoir. The ink reservoir may be fabricated or cast. Since the endsl4 project upwardly somewhat above the axis of the cylinder provisionmust be made for passage therethrough of the shaft portions 5. To thisend each of the ends 54 has an upwardly open recess l6 therein throughwhich one of the shaft portions 5 passes.

The ink reservoir has no supporting function in relation to the intaglioprinting cylinder; the cylinder is supported entirely by its bearingswhich as above explained are disposed outside the ends of the inkreservoir. As shown in Figure 1 a little clearance is provided betweeneach shaft portion 5 and the corresponding recess l6.

To more substantially confine the ink it is desirable to extend upwardlythe ends of the ink reservoir when the press is operating. To this end Iprovide at each end of the ink reservoir and disposed immediately insidethe corresponding end M an upwardly projecting end plate. In Figure 1one of the end plates is designated l'l while in Figure 2 one of the endplates is designated H. The end plates are selected according to thediameter of the intaglio printing cylinder being used at the time. Whena cylinder of relatively great diameter is being used end plates ofrelatively great height are employed while when a cylinder of lessdiameter is being used end plates of less height are employed, thisbeing illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The end plates I 1 each have anupper edge IS, an inclined forward edge portion 19, a vertical frontedge 2!) and a curved rear edge 2 I. The bottom edge of each end plateI1 is shown at 22, there being a downwardly open-upwardly extendingrecess 23 in the lower edge of the end plate to receive the upper halfof the corresponding shaft portion 5. Each of the end plates I1 has ahorizontal upper edge IS, a vertical front edge 20, a vertical rear edge2| and a horizontal lower edge 22 having therein a recess 23 similar inshape and function to the recesses 23 of the end plates l7. Aside fromthe differences in height and shape of the end plates 11 and 11' theyare identical and they are identically applied to the ink reservoir. Thefollowing description of the manner of application of the end plates 11applies also to the end plates 11'.

Each end plate l1 has adjacent its lower edge upwardly extendingdownwardly open recesses 25 and 26, there being one each of the recesses25 and 26 in each .end plate 11. The recesses 25 and 25 are to enablethe lower portion of the end plate to be fitted down over parts of theink fountain which intersect the plane of the end plate as willpresently be described. Also each end plate 11 has two holes 24therethrough for the purpose of receiving bolts 21 passing through theends I4 of the ink reservoir whereby the end plates l1 are clampedagainst the inner faces of the ends [4, the lower edge of each end plate[1 overlapping the upper edge of the corresponding end I4 to a limitedextent as shown in Figure 1. As above stated, there are two holes 24 ineach end plate I1. One of the holes 24 is shown in Figure 14, the otherbeing disposed near the rear of the ink reservoir so that each end plate[1 is held in place by two bolts 21, each of which passes through a hole24 and through the corresponding end l4. A nut 28 is applied to each ofthe bolts 21 to clamp the end plate [1 to the end I4.

I shall now describe the means for applying ink to the intaglio printingcylinder 2. I provide a tube 29 which as shown is cylindrical having arow of ports 30 therethrough disposed in a line parallel to the axis ofthe tube and spaced apart as shown in Figure 6. The tube 29 in use isnormally oriented with the ports 30 at the bottom, although it may beotherwise oriented by turning it about its axis. Applied to each end ofthe tube 29 is a hub 3| which has a cylindrical bore snugly receivingthe tube end as shown in Figure 6. Each hub 3! has a reduced inner end32 receiving a collar 33 having a cylindrical bore fitting snugly overthe reduced inner end 32. The two collars 33, each fitting over thereduced inner end 32 of one of the two hubs 3|, are integral with a halftube 34 extending parallel to the tube 29 and of greater diameter.Hinged to the half tube 34 by a hinge 35 extending parallel to the axisof the tube 29 is another half tube 36 which lies between the portionsof the collars 33 which project laterally from the half tube 34. One endface of the half tube 36 is shown at 31 in Figure 6. Thus the half tube34 with the integral collars 33, the hubs 34 the reduced inner ends 32of which are embraced by the collars 33, the tube 23 which in turn isembraced by the hubs 3l and the half tube 36 hinged to the half tube 34by the hinge 35 are the principal elements forming an ink applicatoradapted to be disposed adjacent the intaglio printing cylinder 2 toapply ink therethrough as will presently be described.

A pipe 38 extends into each hub 3| and communicates with the interior ofthe tube 29. The pipes 38 are parallel to each other and their axes bothintersect the axis of the tube 29 at right angles. The pipes 38 serve adual function: they provide for the delivery of ink to the ink appli-.jacent each end a thickened portion 39 into which extends an upwardlyopen downward recess 4|] having at its bottom a semicircular seat 4| forone of the pipes 38. Dowel pins 42 project upwardly from the bottom ofthe recess 40 at opposite sides of the seat 4 I A cap member 43 havingin its bottom a semicircular recess 44 complementary to the seat 4| isapplied downwardly into the recess 40, having bores receiving the dowelpins 42. The recess 44 of each cap member 43 cooperates with thecorresponding semicircular seat 4| to snugly embrace one of the pipes 38seated in the seat 4|. One of each pair of dowel pins -42 projects abovethe top of the corresponding cap member 43 and has a nut 45 appliedthereto to hold the cap member in place. Thus each pipe 38 is clampedbetween one of the seats 4| and the corresponding cap member 43, the fitof each pipe within its seat 4| and the recess 44 of the correspondingcap member 43 being such that the joint is substantially ink tight.

The ink applicator above described and which comprises the tube 29, thehubs 3| and the half tubes 34 and 36 is carried by the two pipes 38 andthe applicator is supported by the front wall of the ink reservoir bythe clamping of the pipes 38 by the cap members 43. As will be seen bycomparing Figures 1 and 2, the ink applicator is disposed fartherinwardly of the front wall I of the ink reservoir when an intaglioprinting cylinder of relatively small diameter is being used relativelyto its position when an intaglio printing cylinder of relatively greatdiameter is being used. By loosening the nuts 45 the cap members 43 areloosened sufiiciently to permit sliding of the pipes 38 within the seats4| so that it is a simple matter to adjust the ink applicator to thedesired position to cooperate with the intaglio printing cylinder beingused at any particular time. After the ink applicator has been adjustedin proper position the nuts 45 are tightened to hold it in thatposition.

The half tube 34 is the portion of the applicator which lies immediatelyadjacent the intaglio printing cylinder. In operation of the press thehalf tube 34 lies very close to but for the most part out of directcontact with the intaglio printing cylinder. The half tube 34 hasadjacent each end thereof a channel 46 extending circumferentially partway around the half tube 34. Disposed in each channel 43 is a strip 41of soft or resilient material such as rubber, neoprene or the like, thestrips as shown being of generally U shape in cross section withrelatively heavy legs 48 and a relatively thin cross portion 49.Disposed in the channel of the strip 41 is a hold-down member 53 whichmay be of metal, plastic or any other suitable material, and screws passthrough the hold-down member 50 and the resilient U-shaped strip 4'! andinto the half tube 34 to fasten the strip 4? in place. Normally the legs48 of the strip l? project slightly outwardly beyond the surface of thehalf tube 34 so that when the applicator is positioned close to theintaglio printing cylinder the strips 41 may lightly engage the surfaceof the intaglio printing cylinder to in hibit damage thereto such asmight occur if the half tube 34 directly engaged the intaglio printingcylinder. The strips 41 adjacent the opposite ends of the applicatoralso serve to form to some extent dams inhibiting flow of ink parallelto the axis of the intaglio printing cylinder out of the ink 10 poolformed between the applicator and the cylinder and presently to bedescribed.

Each of the collars 33 has a projection 52 which terminates in a flatface 53 against which is positioned a bracket 54, each bracket 54 beingfastened to the corresponding projection 52 by screws 55. Each bracket54 has an axially projecting arm 56 having therethrough a bore 51.Loosely mounted in each bore 5'! is a screw 58 whose head 53 is disposedoutside the arm 56 and whose shank 60 is screwed into a threaded bore 3|in the half tube 36. A compression coil spring 32 is disposed about eachscrew 58 and biased between th half tube 35 and the corresponding arm53. The screws 53 may be turned to adjust the angular relationshipbetween the half tube 34 which is stationarily mounted and the half tube35 which is hinged to the stationarily mounted half tube 34 by the hinge35. The springs 62 normally urge the half tube 36 toward the half tube34 and maintain the head 59 of each screw 58 in contact with the outerface of the corresponding arm 56. Figure 7 shows the half tubes 34 and33 closed tightly together in a non-operative position. Figure 8 showsthe half tube 35 turned somewhat away from the half tube 34 about theaxis of the pintle of the hinge 35, this being accomplished by turningthe two screws 5-8 to draw the half tube 35 outwardly against the actionof the springs 62. A sealing member 63 is fastened to the inside of thehalf tube 33 by screws 64 and a hold-down strip 35 and spans the crackadjacent the hinge 35 between the half tube 34 and the half tube 35 thusinhibiting the outflow of ink therethrough. It is not seriouslydetrimental if a small amount of ink passes out through the crack butactually I find that the sealing member 63 virtually prevents anyoutflow.

Each hub 3| has a projection 33 which terminates in a flat face 61against which is positioned a bracket 53, each bracket 53 being fastenedto the corresponding projection 63 by screws 69. Each bracket 68 hastherethrough a threaded bore 70 in which operates a screw 1| having ahead 12 disposed away from the corresponding bracket 54 and a point 13projecting through the bore. Each bracket 5-4 has an arcuate series ofbores 74 which are spaced apart in an are described about the axis ofthe tube 29. When the screws ll are turned in their bores 73 to retracttheir points 73 away from the brackets 54 the assembly consisting of thehalf tubes 34 and 35, the brackets 54 and the screws 53 may be turnedthrough a desired angle about the axis of the tube 29. When thatassembly has been turned to the desired position with each screw llaligned with a bore 14 the screws are turned up until their points 13enter those bores whereby to retain the assembly in desired angularposition. The brackets 38 with the screws 1| therein and the brackets 54with the bores 14 therein form cooperatively indexing mechanism forrapidly adjusting the half tubes 34 and 35 to desired angular positions.The hubs 3| are by the pipes 38 held in fixed angular position and sincethe hubs are thus held against turning and the tube 29 is engaged onlyby the hubs there is no tendency of that tube to turn when the assembledhalf tubes 34 and 36 are turned on the hubs 3|. Moreover, the tube 29has welded in each end a plug 15 having a central threaded bore 33 intowhich is threaded a screw l7 passing through a central opening in aplate 38. Each plate l8 bears against an end of the tube 29 and the endof the corresponding hub 3|, maintaining the parts of the applicatorassembled and also fricsum;

1 1 tionally holding the tube 29 against turning relatively to the hubsSI. If desired the tube 29 may be turned relatively to the hubs 3! afterloosening or removing the plates '18, but it is seldom, if ever,necessary to change the angular relationship of the tube 29 to the hubs3|.

.There is provided an ink pump which is not shown in the drawings. Think reservoir I has an outlet I9 leading to the ink pump. The pumpcirculates ink by withdrawing it from the ink reservoir throughtheoutlet I9 and pumpingit back into the applicator through one or bothof the pipes 38. A continuous circulation of ink is thus maintainedduring operation of the press. The ink entering the pipe or pipes 38passes into the tube 29 and fills that tube. The ink within the tube 28passes out of that tube through the ports 30 and into the annular spaceoutside the tube 29 but within the assembled half tubes 34 and 36 andfills that annular space, the pressure on the ink exerted by the pumpmoving the ink through the tube 29 and the ports 30 and thence about thetube 28 to the slot 80 between the hali tubes 34 and 36. Th slot 80discharges the ink toward the intaglio printing cylinder and in asomewhat upward direction. The ports 3t discharge the ink from the tube29 generally away from the slot 80 so that the ink has to flow generallyaround the tube 29' to reach the slot 80 resulting in a smooth evendischarge of the inkfrom the slot 80'. The ink discharged from the slot80 forms a pool of ink between the outside of the applicator and theoutsideof the intaglio printing cylinder as shown in Figure l, the inkin the pool being designated by reference number 8|. As above explainedthe applicator is spaced slightly from the intaglio printing cylinder although the strips 4'! preferably engage the cylinder adjacent the endsofthe applicator. When the intaglio printing cylinder is turning at highspeed in the counterclockwise direction viewing.

Figure 1 the pool of ink M is maintained largely or entirely againstoutflow past the strips t? bridging the gap between the applicatorandthe cylinder'on-ly at the bottom of the pool. The pump is preferablyoperated at suchspeed that a small quantity of ink always overflows theapp plicator backwardl-y or toward the left viewing Figure l whenceitdrops intothe ink reservoir. This insures a substantially constanthead of ink in the pool. Yet when'the press is in operation, even thoughthe ends of the pool are somewhat open above the strips 41, ink does notflow-outwardly at the ends of the pool. I believe this to be because ofthe effect on the ink of the rapidly rotating intaglio printing cylinderto gether with-the viscosity of the ink and the slight damming effect ofthe strips 41.

The poolo! ink 8I- is at the side of the intaglio printing cylinder atwhich the cyllndricalsurface of the'cylinder moves downwardly and. isdisposed below' the substantially horizontal plane containing the axisof the intaglio printingcylinder.

Material designated by reference numeral 82; is brought into contactwith the intaglio printing cylinder to be printed on, thematerial movingat a linear speed substantially equal to the linear speed of movement ofthe cylindrical surface of the intaglio printing cylinder so that theprinting cylinder prints on the material. The material 82 may forexample be a strip of paper advanced by paper feeding mechanism in thepress as well known in the art and pressed against the cylindricalsurface of the intaglio printing cylinder by a'roller 83. I preferably.

dispose the roller 03 at the top portion or the cylinder, desirably withits axis in substantially the same vertical plane with the axis of thecylinder. Thus the ink from the pool 8I travels through an angulardistance of at least about 180 and normally close to 270 between itsapplication to the intaglio printing cylinder and its deposition by theintaglio printing cylinder upon the material 82 which is being printedon.

Extending transversely of the press frame between opposed portions 84thereof are guides 85 guiding-1y supporting a slide 86 having a dovetailextension 81 cooperating with the guides 85. The slide 86 is duringoperation of the press moved back and forth transversely of the press bysuitable mechanism connected with the press drive which may be ofconventional construction. Carried by the slide 86 and guided thereontor generally vertical movement are brackets 88 spaced aparttransversely of the press. Each bracket 88 has a rack 89 with whichmeshes a pinion keyed to a transverse shaft SI. By turning of the shaft8| the respective brackets 88 are moved in unison while beingguidedvertically upon the slide 86.

Mounted in the brackets 88 is a shaft 91. Mounted on the shaft 92 forpivotal movement about the axis thereof are two support members 93'. Aplate 94 spans the space between and lies atop the support members- 93and is fastened thereto so that the plate 94 and the two support members93 form in effect a saddle mounted for turning movement about the axis01 the shaft 92.

The plate 94 carries on its upwardly facing surface adjacent the edgethereof remote from the intaglio printing cylinder two laterally spacedsleeves 95 in each of which operates a screw 56 having a knurled head01. Each screw 96 is freely turnable in its sleeve 85. The screws 9irespectively threadedly engage a slide 98 carried upon the plate M andcarried for movement thereon axially of the screws 96. Turning oi thescrews 96 adjusts the slide 98 upon theplate 94 toward and away from theintaglio printing cylinder. The slide 88- has therethrough elongatedopenings $39 through which pass screws 8 screwed into the-plate. Whenthe slide is positioned as desired the screws I40 are.

screwed down to engage the upper surface or the slide 98' and iasten theslide in place on the plate 84-.

Fastened to the slide 88'by' screws 99 is a doctor blade carrier I08 towhich is clamped by a clamping member III the doctor blade I02 adaptedto bear against the intaglio printing cylinder as well in'theart. Lyingatop the doctor blade I02 is a plate I03, the clamping member IIH, whichisfastened to the carrier I00 by screws I04, pressingthe plate I0 3against the doctor blade F02 and thereby'in turn pressing the doctorblade IMagainst the carrier I00 to maintain the assembly. Substantialangular adjustments of the doctor blade I02 may be effected by looseningthe screws I 04 and adjusting thedoctor blade atthc desired angle andthen tightening the screws PM to clamp the doctor blade impositionagainst the holder I M. Minute angu lar adjustments of the doctor blademay be eflectedby relative turning of the screws 96, i. e., byturningone of those screws through perhaps a portion of a turn while theother remains stationary.

The doctor blade cooperates with the cylindrical surface of the intaglioprinting cylinder within a central angle of 90 ahead of the position ofcontact therewith of the material 82. The doctor blade desirablycooperates with the cylindrical surface of the intaglio printingcylinder within a central angle of 45 ahead of the position of contacttherewith of the material 82 as in the structures shown in the drawings.

The clamping member IOI has connected therewith by screws I05 guardmembers I06, one adjacent each end of the intaglio printing cylinder,each of the guard members I06 having a portion I! positioned so that inany axial position of the doctor blade it overlaps the edge of theintaglio printing cylinder and a portion I08 which overlaps the end edgeof the doctor blade. The doctor blade is longer than the intaglioprinting cylinder and while the doctor blade oscillates parallel to theaxis of the intaglio printing cylinder each end edge of the doctor bladealways projects beyond the corresponding end face of the intaglioprinting cylinder. The portions I0? of the guard members I06 interceptink flying outwardly from the end edges of the intaglio printingcylinder and the portions I08 of the guard members I00 intercept inkmoving off of the end edges of the doctor blade.

Hinged to the slide 98 by a spring hinge I08 is a guard member III]which extends across the ink reservoir with its lower portion lyingtherewithin. The transverse dimension of the guard member He is suchthat its end edges fall just short of engaging the end plates of the inkreservoir when the doctor blade with its associated mechanism oscillatesduring the operation of the press. The spring hinge I09 urges the guardmember M0 to turn in the counterclockwise direction about the axis ofthe pintle of the hinge, viewing Figure 11. The guard member IIO may bemade of stifi material such as sheet metal or plastic and has its loweredge portion slightly inwardly curved as shown at II I (Figures 1 and 2)Extending within the ink reservoir generally parallel to the axis of theintaglio printing cylinder and journaled in the ends of the inkreservoir is a shaft II2. Fastened to the shaft H2 is a flexible guardmember H3 and a stiff guard member H4. The flexible guard member II3extends generally downwardly from the shaft H2 and lies against theinside of the rear wall of the ink reservoir. It may be made of rubber,neoprene or other suitable flexible material. The guard member II4projects generally upwardly and lies behind the guard member I! 0 whichis pressed by the spring hinge I09 into engagement therewith. The upperedge of the guard member II4 engages the support members 93. As will beseen by comparing Figures 1 and 2, the guard members IIO, II3 and IIeffectively prevent ink from being thrown out at the rear of the inkreservoir regardless of the position of the doctor blade. As the doctorblade with its associated mechanism oscillates back and forth duringoperation of the press the guard member IIO oscillates relatively to theguard member II4 since the guard member IIO is connected with the doctorblade through the slide 98 while the guard member IN is pivoted to theink reservoir and does not move back and forth with the doctor blade.

The slide 86 carries brackets II5 to which is pivoted at H6 a cylinderII! in which operates a piston with which is connected a piston rod IIBadjustably connectd through a turnbuckle HQ with a threaded rod I20carrying an eye I2I at its upper end. Connected with the plate 94 is'aprojecting bracket I22 carrying a clevis I22a through which passes a pinI23 which also passes through the eye I 2!, which eye lies between thearms of the clevis I22a. Fluid under pressure normally resilientlypresses the piston in the cylinder I I! generally upwardly to urge thedoctor blade with predetermined force against the surface of theintaglio printing cylinder. The position of the doctor blade, whichdepends upon the diameter of the intaglio printing cylinder, iscompensated for by adjusting the turnbuckle II9 as is clear by comparingFigures 1 and 2.

I provide a guard member I which is of generally arcuate shape and hasconnected therewith adjacent each of its lower corners a block I24. Atrunnion screw I24a passes through each end ll of the ink reservoir andthreads into the corresponding block I24 whereby to mount the guardmember I 25 to the ink reservoir for turning movement about the axes ofthe trunnion screws I24a. The recesses 25 of the end plates I! receivethe trunnion screws Iz ia when the end plates I1 are applied. Connectedwith the guard member I 25 adjacent each end thereof is a bracket I25 towhich is pivoted at I21 a bifurcated arm I28 straddling a stud I29 inthe corresponding end of the ink reservoir. Each stud I29 carries aclamp I201: which lies against the face of the arm I28 remote from theadjacent end plate IT. A nut I30 is threaded onto each stud I29 and whenturned up against the end I4 of the ink reservoir draws the clamp I29aagainst the arm I28 and thereby clamps the arm to the corresponding endof the ink reservoir. Thus the guard member I25 is maintained in desiredadjusted position relatively to the intaglio printing cylinder.different adjustments of the mechanism for clamping the guard member I25in place being shown in Figures 1 and. 2.

A guard member I3I which is also of generally arcuate shape is slidablyconnected with the guard member I25 and adapted to be maintained indesired adjusted positions relatively thereto by clamps I32. The guardmember I3I may be extended or retracted as desired and fastened in placeupon the guard member I25 by tightening the clamps I32.

Pivoted to the guard member I25 by spring hinges I33 are guard membersI34, one disposed opposite and close to each end face of the intaglioprinting cylinder. The spring hinges I33 maintain the guard members I34in the positions shown in Figures 1 and 2 but permit the guard members53:3 to turn in the clockwise direction about the pintles of the hinges,viewing Figure 14, when the guard member I25 is swung to the left or inthe counterclockwise direction about the axisof the shaft I24 to enablethe guard members $34 to clear the portions of the roller 03 whichproject beyond the ends of the intaglio printing cylinder. The guards I34 extend above and somewhat beyond the shaft portions 5 and interceptink dripping from the guard members I06 to prevent that ink from fallingonto the shaft portions 5.

A guard member I35 is adapted to close the front of the ink reservoir,having its forward lower edge supported against the inside of the frontof the ink reservoir as shown at I 36 in Figure 9 and having its rearupper edge lying against the exterior of the arcuate guard member I25and being reversely turned as shown at I37 to provide a gripping portionwhereby the .15 guard member l3! may be easily removed and replaced. Thefront corners of the guard mem ber 135 are cut away as shown at I38 toenable the guard member to properly fitto the ink reservoir (Figure 9).

While I have shown and described a present preferred embodiment of theinvention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied within the scopeof the following claims.

I claim:

1. Inking means for an intaglio printing press comprising an elongatedhollow member adapted to be disposed adjacent the cylindrical surface ofan intaglio printing: cylinder generally parallel to th axis of thecylinder to: form: with said surface a receptacle for a pool of ink,said elongated hollow member having opposed relatively hingedly movableportions providing passage means from the interior to the exteriorthereof through which ink fed into the interior thereof may pass totheexterior thereof, relative hinged movement of said portions varying theeffective cross-sectional area of said passage means.

2'. Inking means for an intaglio printing press comprising an elongatedhollow member adapted to be disposed adjacent the cylindrical surface ofan intaglio printing cylinder generally parallel to the axisof thecylinder-toform with said surface a receptacle for a pool of ink, saidelongated hollow member-having opposed portions fastened together at oneside and slightly spaced apart at the oppositesideto provide a slitthrough which ink fed into the interior thereof may pass to the exteriorthereof, the opposed portions of the elongated hollow member beingrelativelyadjustably movable to vary the width of the slit.

3'. inking means for an intaglio-pri'nting press comprising an elongatedhollow member adapted to be disposed adjacent the cylindrical surface ofan intagl-io printing cylinder generally parallel to the axis of thecylinder to form with said surface a receptacle for a pool of ink,saidelongated hollow member" having opposed sections hinged together atone side and slightly spaced apart at theoppositeside to-provide a slitthrough which ink fed into the interior thereof may pass to the exteriorthereof, and means for relatively hingedly moving said sections to varythe width of the slit.

4. Inking means for air intaglio printing press compri ing an elongatedhollow member adapted to be disposed adjacent the cylindrical surface ofan intaglio printing cylinder generally parallel to the axis of thecylinder to form with said surfac a receptacle for a pool of ink, saidelongated hollow member-having passage means from the interior-to theexteriorthereof through which ink fed into the interior thereof may'passto the exterior thereof and into said receptacle, and a second elongatedhollow member disposed generally within the first mentioned elongatedhollow member into which ink is adapted to be fed, the second elongatedhollow member having passage means from the interior to the exteriorthereof through which ink fed into'the interior thereof may pass to theexterior thereof into position to pass outwardly through the passagemeans of the first mentioned elongated hollow member.

5. inking means for an intaglio printing press comprising anelongatedhollow member adapted to be disposed adjacent the cylindricalsurface of an intaglio printing cylinder generally parallel to the axisof the cylnder. to form with said .1 surface a receptacle for a pool ofink, said elongated hollow member having passage means from the interiorto the exterior thereof through which ink fed into the interior thereofmay pass to the exterior thereof and into said receptacle, and asecond-elongated hollow member disposed generally within the: firstmentioned elongated hollow member into which ink. is adapted to be fed,the second elongated hollow member having passage means from theinterior to the exterior thereof through which ink fed into the interiorthereof may pass to the exterior thereof into the space within the firstmentioned elongated hollow member but outside: the second elongatedhollow member, the passage means of the second elongated hollow memberbeing disposed to direct ink passing therethrough generally away fromthe passage means of the first mentioned elongated hollow member.

6 inking means for an intaglio printing press comprising an elongatedhollow member adapted to be disposed adjacent the cylindrical surface ofan intaglio printing cylinder generally parallel to the axis of thecylinder to form with said surface a receptacle for a pool of ink, saidelongated hollow member having passage means from the interior to theexterior thereof through which ink fed into: the interior thereof maypass to the exterior thereof and into said receptacle, means for varyingthe effective cross-sectional area of said passage means, and asecondelongated hollow member disposed generally within the first mentionedelongated hollow member into which ink is adapted to be fed, the secondelongated hollow member having passage means from the interior to theexterior thereof through which ink fed into the interior thereof maypass to the exterior thereof into the space within the first mentionedelongated hollow member but outside the second elongated hollow member.

7. Inking means for an intaglio printing press comprising an elongatedhollow member adapted to be disposed adjacent the cylindrical sunface ofan intaglio printing cylinder generally parallel to the axis of thecylinder to formwith said surface a receptacle for a pool of ink, saidelongated hollow member having opposed pore tions fastened together atone side and slightly spaced apart at the opposite side to provide aslit through which ink fed into the interior thereof may pass to theexterior thereof and into saidreceptacle, the opposed portions of theelongated hollow member being relatively adjustably movable to vary thewidth of the slit, and a second elongated hollow member disposedgenerally within thefirst mentionedelongated hollow member into whichink is adapted to: be fed, the second elongated hollow member havingpassage means from the interior to the exterior thereof through whichink fed into the interior thereof may pass to the ext'eric'r thereofinto the space within. the first mentioned. elongatedhoilow'member buttoutsidethe. second elongated hollow memher, the passage means of thesecond elongated hollow member being'disposed to direct ink passingtherethrough generally away from the slit of the first mentionedelongated hollow member.

'8. Inking means for an intaslio printing press comprising an elongatedhollow member adapted to be. disposed adjacent the cylindrical surfaceof an. intaglio printing cylinder generally parallel to the axis ofthecylinder to form with said surface a receptacle for a pool of. ink,said elongated hollow member having opposed portions fastened togetherat one side and slightly spaced apart at the opposite side to provide aslit through which ink fed into the interior thereof may pass to theexterior thereof and into said receptacle, the opposed portions of theelongated hollow member being relatively adjustably movable to vary thewidth of the slit, and a second elongated hollow member disposedgenerally within the first mentioned elongated hollow member into whichink is adapted to be fed, the second elongated hollow member having aseries of spaced apart passages disposed generally throughout the lengthof the second elongated hollow member extending from the interior to theexterior thereof through which ink fed into the interior thereof maypass to the exterior thereof into the space within the first mentionedelongated hollow member but outside the second elongated hollow member.

9. Inking means for an intaglio printing press comprising supportingmeans, an elongated hollow member carried by the supporting meansadapted to be disposed adjacent the cylindrical surface of an intaglioprinting cylinder generally parallel to the axis of the cylinder to formwith said surface a receptacle for a pool of ink, said elongated hollowmember having opposed portions fastened together at one side andslightly spaced apart at the opposite side to provide a slit throughwhich ink fed into the interior thereof may pass to the exterior thereofand into said receptacle, and means connected with the supporting meansand with one of the opposed portions of the elongated hollow member tomove said portion relatively to the other portion to vary the width ofthe slit.

10. Inking means for an intaglio printing press comprising supportingmeans, an elongated hollow member carried by the supporting meansadapted to be disposed adjacent the cylindrical surface of an intaglioprinting cylinder generally parallel to the axis of the cylinder to formwith said surface a receptacle for a pool of ink, said elongated hollowmember having passage means from the interior to the exterior thereofthrough which ink fed into the interior thereof may pass to the exteriorthereof and into said receptacle, the elongated hollow member beingturnable in the supporting means without altering the effectivecross-sectional area of said passage means to vary the angle ofdischarge of ink through the passage means into said receptacle.

l1. Inking means for an intaglio printing press comprising supportingmeans, an elongated hollow member carried by the supporting meansadapted to be disposed adjacent the cylindrical surface of an intaglioprinting cylinder generally parallel to the axis of the cylinder to formwith said surface a receptacle for a pool of ink, said elongated hollowmember having passage means from the interior to the exterior thereofthrough which ink fed into the interior thereof may pass to the exteriorthereof and into said receptacle, the elongated hollow member beingturnable in the supporting means to vary the angle of discharge of inkthrough the passage means into said receptacle, and means carried by thesupporting means for fastening the elongated hollow member in adjustedangular posi tion.

12. Inking means for an intaglio printing press comprising supportingmeans, an elongated hollow member carried by the supporting meansadapted to be disposed adjacent the cylindrical surface of an intaglioprinting cylinder generally parallel to the axis of the cylinder to formwith said surface a receptacle for a pool of ink, said elongated hollowmember having passage means from the interior to the exterior thereofthrough which ink fed into the interior thereof may pass to the exteriorthereof and into said receptacle, the elongated hollow member beingturnable in the supporting means to vary the angle of discharge of inkthrough the passage means into said receptacle, and fastening means onthe supporting means and the elongated hollow member for fastening theelongated hollow member in predetermined angular positions.

13. Inkin means for an intaglio printing press comprising supportingmeans, an elongated hollow member carried by the supporting meansadapted to be disposed adjacent the cylindrical surface of an intaglioprinting cylinder generally parallel to the axis of the cylinder to formwith said surface a receptacle for a pool of ink, said elongated hoilowmember having passage means from the interior to the exterior thereofthrough which ink fed into the interior thereof may pass to the exteriorthereof and into said receptacle, and means connected with thesupporting means and with the elongated hollow member operable to varythe effective crosssectional area of said passage means.

14. Inking means for an intaglio printing press comprising sup-portingmeans, an elongated hollow member carried by the supporting meansadapted to be disposed adjacent the cylindrical surface of an intaglioprinting cylinder generally parallel to the axis of the cylinder to formwith said surface a receptacle for a pool of ink, said elongated hollowmember having passage means from the interior to the exterior thereofthrough which ink fed into the interior thereof may pass to the exteriorthereof and into said receptacle, and screw means extending between thesupporting means and the elongated hollow member turnable to vary theeffective cross-sectional area of said passage means.

15. Inking means for an intaglio printing press comprising supportingmeans, an elongated hollow member carried by the supporting meansadapted to be disposed adjacent the cylindrical surface of an intaglioprinting cylinder generally parallel to the axis of the cylinder to formwith said surface a receptacle for a pool of ink, said elongated hollowmember having passage means from the interior .to the exterior thereofthrough which ink fed into the interior thereof may pass to the exteriorthereof and into said receptacle, the elongated hollow member beingturnable in the supporting means to vary the angle of discharge of inkthrough the passage means into said receptacle, and means connected withthe supporting means and with the elongated hollow member operable tovary the effective crosssectional area of said passage means.

16. Inking means for an intaglio printing press having a rotatableintaglio printing cylinder mounted in a casing comprising conduit meansentering the casing from Without and projecting inwardly of the innerwall of the casing and means carried by the conduit means cooperatingwith the surface of the printing cylinder to form a receptacle for apool of ink, said last mentioned means including an elongated hollowmember adapted to be disposed generally parallel to the axis of thecylinder and having passage means from the interior to the exteriorthereof through which ink fed into the interior thereof may pass to theexterior thereof and into said receptacle, and a second elongated hollowmem- 19 her disposed generally within the first mentioned elongatedhollow member into which ink is adapted to be fed, the second elongatedhollow member having passage means from the interior to the exteriorthereof through which ink fed into the interior thereof may pass to theexterior thereof into position to pass outwardly through the assagemeans of the first mentioned elongated hollow member, the conduit meansconducting ink into the interior of the second elongated hollow member.

FRANK A. ROSS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date Re. 21,212 Weiss Sept. 19, 1939 Number Number Name Date BriggsJune 1,1909 Huenke Aug. .5, .1919 Walker et a1. Jim. 5, 1932 Horton Jan.18, 1938 Greenhill Dec. 2'], 1938 Ericksson Mar. 28, 1939 Gurwick June24,, 1941 Paardecamp Mar. '31, 1952 Crafts 'et a1. Apr. 24, 1-951FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain June 14, 1938 Germany June10, 1942

